During the long summer months, one of the frequent questions submitted to Mike’s Mailbag asked who the Ottawa Senators might look at as a cap-based acquisition to reach the salary floor. With the legitimate signings of key players like Evgenii Dadonov and Matt Murray, it looked for a long time like that speculation was all for naught. However, as first reported by TSN’s Shawn Simpson, the conversation might be heating up again:
Hearing Yotes and Sens are talking. #Stepan Has one year left of a cap hit at 6.5, but actual salary of 5. @TSN1200
— Shawn Simpson (@TSNSimmer) December 23, 2020
Stepan is a player that we discussed at length in the mailbag and in the comments section, specifically because his actual cash cost falls well below his cap value. For a team like the Senators that once had a long way to reach the salary floor, he almost looked like the perfect fit. Now, though? Any move for Stepan feels a little bit counterproductive.
The broken record in me would like to point out that this Ottawa organization has a significant volume of young talent that looks poised and ready to break onto the NHL roster. Names like Logan Brown, Josh Norris, Tim Stuetzle, Drake Batherson, and others should all be in position to earn long looks at training camp, and potentially extended stays through the regular season. The fact that it’s almost time to start reaping the rewards of a few years of methodical drafting and development should be a tremendously exciting thing.
That excitement gets tempered by the fact that Ottawa has brought in a number of veteran bodies that are going to take spots that many fans had earmarked for young players. Alex Galchenyuk likely isn’t going to be a member of this team when it comes time to challenge for the Stanley Cup in a few seasons, but he’s going to take a roster spot this year. The same goes for Austin Watson and Erik Gudbranson, too. Does it really make sense to bring in another veteran body?
Perhaps the most concerning part of the discussion around a Stepan acquisition – at least from my perspective – is that most commentators seem to think that it would be the Senators who have to give something up to acquire the player, as opposed to the Coyotes adding a sweetener to get the deal done. Arizona is a capped-out team, and needs the space. There’s no immediate need for the Senators to add dollars. It shouldn’t be the Senators giving up anything of value here. That conclusion is strengthened further by the fact that Stepan isn’t the player he once was:
You know who has more 40+ point campaigns than Derek Stepan in the last two seasons?
— Graeme Nichols (@6thSens) December 23, 2020
Colin White.
The only way a deal for Stepan even potentially makes sense is if the Senators are able to dump a contract like Artem Anisimov’s in the process. If that’s not happening, it’d be best for Pierre Dorion to steer clear.
As always, thanks for reading.